Robert j



(No Model.)

R. J. GILLHAM.

POCKET EULE.

Patentd July 4, 1893.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. GILLHAM, OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO MAHLON GORE AND CHARLES W. JAOOOKS,

POCKET-RU LE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 500,572, dated July 4, 1893.

Application filed September 9, 1892. Serial No. 445,432. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. GILLHAM, of Orlando, in the county of Orange and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket Rules; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in pocket rules and it consists of a rule made of several sections hinged together, each end section of said rule being connected by a diagonal hinge toits adjacent section.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of the rule in its open position. Fig. 2 is a view of the same folded so as to be used as a try-square and parallel ruler, and Fig. 3 is a view of my improvement when used as a try-square and bevel square.

A represents a pocket rule constructed of metal, wood or any suitable material, which is composed of sections 1, 2, 3, t, 5, and 6, the latter being hinged together in any of the well known ways common to rules so as to permit it to be folded into smallcompass. The sections 3 and 4. are hinged together as shown at a, and the opposite ends of said sections are hinged to the short sections 2 and 5. The outer ends of sections 2 and 5 are cut diagonally and are hinged to the similarly cut ends of sections 1 and 6.

The advantage of my invention over the ordinary rule, is the addition of diagonal hinges in the outer sections of the rule. These hinge points permit the end sections to fold over, thus forming either one or two angles of ninety degrees giving a true try-square at either end. If both sections 1 and 6 are folded,

the rule may be employed as a parallel ruler by starting from a base line and moving the rule upward, graduating the space between the lines by measuring with the scale from the base line, and from subsequently made lines as the rule is moved farther upward upon the sheet. By opening out the rule to one half its full length and then folding back one end, adouble try-square is formed. And then by placing the diagonal hinge against a straight edge, the angle described by the line of the rule will-be a true hypotenuse of a right angle triangle.

The method of hinging the sections, and the manner of forming the sections can be varied at pleasure without avoiding my invention and hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A pocket rule composed of a series of hinged sections, the two outer sections of the rule, and the adjacent ends of the next sections having miter ends substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A pocket rule composed of sections connected together by straight and diagonal hinged joints, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBT. J. GILLHAM.. 

